14 June 2006

Continuing to deliver for people with diabetes

Professor Andrew Morris, of the University of Dundee, helped launch a new three-year Diabetes Action Plan for Scotland today.

Scotland continues to deliver real improvements for people with diabetes, said Health Minister Andy Kerr at the launch of the plan in Leith.

Mr Kerr said that a refreshed Diabetes Action Plan can continue to take forward these improvements within the principles of managing long term conditions as set out in Delivering for Health.

The plan outlines a three year vision to support and improve care for patients and staff in this area by:

* Improving access to education and information to enable more people with diabetes to self-manage their condition
* Improving access to specialist foot care services
* Enhancing services for people with Type 1 diabetes
* Supporting more people with diabetes to adopt a healthier lifestyle

Launching the Action Plan during a visit to Leith Treatment Centre Mr Kerr said:

"I am delighted to be here at Leith Community Treatment Centre to launch this updated Diabetes Action Plan. This is exactly what I want to see across Scotland, high quality patient services being delivered in the heart of the local community."

"Diabetes care in Scotland has improved dramatically in recent years, I believe that this Action Plan will continue to drive this forward. This is all about using healthy living education to prevent people getting diabetes, identifying those with diabetes at early stage as well as delivering first class services for those who have the condition."

"This Action Plan sets out a challenging vision for the next three years. However, by working with healthcare professionals, the voluntary sector and patients we can ensure improved diabetes care."

Professor Andrew Morris, lead clinician for diabetes in Scotland said:

"The Diabetes Action Plan gives us a great opportunity to build upon the momentum generated by diabetes teams across the nation. We have already demonstrated that through nationwide collaboration we are beginning to make a real difference to the lives of people with diabetes in Scotland".

Audrey Birt, Director of Diabetes UK Scotland, said:

"We are delighted that the framework has been updated and particularly that there is such a clear commitment to delivering change over the next three years. The updated framework reflects many of the concerns highlighted in consultations with people living with diabetes in Scotland - the need to recognise more fully the needs of people living with Type 1 diabetes and priority being given to areas such as psychological support and foot care."

"This is an opportunity to re-energise the momentum of the framework, to build on what has been achieved so far and tackle outstanding issues. Diabetes UK Scotland looks forward to working with our partners in the Executive and the NHS over the next three years to ensure that all of the aims of the new framework are implemented."

Louise Beattie, Scottish Development Officer, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation commented:

"Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation welcomes the introduction of the Diabetes Action Framework and hope its implementation will be a significant step towards ensuring high standards of care for people living with diabetes in Scotland. We are committed to working with Government, health professionals and researchers to improve the lives of people with Type 1 diabetes and, ultimately, to finding a cure through research."

James Barbour, Chief Executive, NHS Lothian, said:

"I am delighted to welcome everyone to Leith CTC for the launch of the new Diabetes Framework, which sets out new priorities for improving standards of care."

"NHS Lothian’s diabetes care has continued to improve. The diabetes clinic at Leith Community Treatment Centre offers a fine example of how we are continuing to improve our diabetes care by investing in more primary, practice-based and nurse led clinics."

NOTES FOR NEWS EDITORS

Over 170,000 people in Scotland have been diagnosed with diabetes.

There are two main types of diabetes: Type 1 diabetes which usually develops in childhood. Type 2 diabetes which accounts for almost 90 per cent of all cases of diabetes, usually occurs after 35 years (average age 52) and is more common in people who are overweight.

The Scottish Diabetes Framework was published on 2 April 2002 and the Scottish Diabetes Group was established to support and monitor implementation of the Framework.

Copies of the updated Diabetes Action Plan can be found on the following link www.scotland.gov.uk/publications/recent

Photographs of the launch are available, contact press officer below.

Contact: Michelle Callen 0131 244 2517
News Release: «NewsReleaseNo»
Internet: www.scotland.gov.uk

For media enquiries contact:

Roddy Isles
Head, Press Office
University of Dundee
Nethergate Dundee, DD1 4HN
TEL: 01382 384910
E-MAIL: r.isles@dundee.ac.uk